With the start of the festival just days away, and many flowers already in bloom, a local business is reminding visitors of Tulip Time’s biggest unwritten rule — don’t pick the tulips.
According to local legend, it’s illegal to pick tulips in Holland — but that’s not true. In 2025, Tulip Time Executive Director Gwen Auwerda told The Sentinel there isn’t a specific law or ordinance against doing so. The practice, however, is extremely frowned upon — and could be considered destruction of property in some places.
Veldheer Tulip Gardens, home to millions of blooming tulips each spring in Holland Township, issued a reminder on social media April 22 after search engine Google incorrectly stated visitors can pick flowers.
“This is absolutely incorrect,” the business wrote, added anyone found picking tulips will be fined and their stolen tulips confiscated.
In specific, visitors cannot pick tulips in downtown Holland or at Veldheer, Nelis’ Dutch Village or Windmill Island Gardens. When in doubt, it’s safest to assume the answer is no.
There is, however, one local business that offers a chance to pick tulips while supplies last.
Wild Flower Farm at 5935 136th Ave. offered self-pick tulips for the first time in 2025 in hopes of starting an annual tradition. This year’s event began April 21.
According to the business’ website, the event will continue until all flowers are picked or done blooming — likely around May 2. The farm is open 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. The cost for a 10-stem, self-pick bundle is $20.
For more information, visit wildflowerfarmmi.com.
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Can you pick tulips during Tulip Time? When in doubt, the answer is no
Reporting by Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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